Slovenia - Map, Pictures and Virtual Tours

Piran

Piran is a town and municipality in southwestern Slovenia on the Gulf of Piran on the Adriatic Sea. The origin of the name is uncertain, with some scholars favoring derivation from the Celtic "bior-dun" (settlement on the hill), while others prefer the Greek word "pyr" (fire), a reference to the lighthouse on the tip of the peninsular.

The town resembles a large open-air museum, with medieval architecture and a rich cultural heritage. Narrow streets and compact houses give the town its special charm. Piran is the administrative centre of the local area and one of Slovenia's major tourist attractions.

Portorož

Portorož belongs to the coastal municipality of Piran, located in the southwest of the Gulf of Trieste (at the northern-most point of the Adriatic Sea) between the boundaries of Italy to the North and Croatia to the south.

Portorož is home to a marina, casino, and numerous sporting facilities. There is also Portorož International Airport in nearby village Secovlje. Portorož was host to the International Physics Olympiad in 1985 and to the European Universities Debating Championships in 2001.